Layered tube, and formed product of tube that is formed of the layered tube

ABSTRACT

The technical problem of this invention is to laminate the outer layer onto the substrate layer that makes up the main body of a tube, wherein a projecting portion or portions are formed on the substrate layer or the outer layer of the tube while maintaining certain uniformity. The object of this invention is to provide the laminated tube and molded tube products comprising the laminated tube, which shows the decorative effect, derived from the laminated outer layer, and enables the user to identify the tube only by touch.  
     The outer layer having or consisting of the axially disposed projecting portion or portions is laminated onto the substrate layer that makes up the main body of the tube. By changing the number, width, or shape of the projecting portions, it is possible to give the decorative effect and identifiable features to the laminated tube  1.  The laminated tube  1  can be used to mold tube products, such as tubular containers  9  and pouch containers  10.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the laminated tube having an outer layerlaminated onto the substrate layer and to molded products using thislaminated tube.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there are known those tubes of a laminated structure inwhich the outer layer is laminated onto the substrate layer. Theselaminated tubes usually have a structure in which the outer layer islaminated uniformly in the peripheral direction of the tubecross-section.

The molded products of a laminated structure, in which an outer layer islaminated onto the substrate layer, are obtained by, for example,co-extruding two different types of synthetic resins or cladding thesubstrate layer with the second layer. In this cladding method, thesubstrate layer has already been made into a tube, and is clad with thesecond layer by an ordinary extrusion-molding process.

On the other hand, the co-extrusion molding method utilizes a moldingdie that has two or more separate flow paths for the molten resins andlets these flow paths merge within the die. The molding die has such across-section that gives the shape of a resinous tube. Two types ofresins are molten and run through the respective flow paths. The twolayers are welded firmly to each other, and the laminated tube isextruded from the die exit in the cross-sectional shape of the die, andis left to cool.

The laminated tubes made by conventional co-extrusion molding processhas difficulty in preventing cuts in the outer layer to be laminatedonto the substrate layer and also in cladding the outer layer in theuniform thickness because each synthetic resin has a different softeningpoint and flow resistance. A technology for laminating the outer layeronto the substrate layer at a uniform thickness has been developed tosolve this problem.

In the cladding method, too, it is also difficult to clad the substratelayer with the outer layer at a uniform thickness because there is apressure difference generated in the resin inside the head of theextrusion-molding die. In order for this problem to be solved, atechnology has been developed to extrude the outer layer in a pipe shapefrom the molding die having a diameter larger than the outer diameter ofthe tubular substrate layer and to make the outer layer stick onto thesubstrate layer by sucking the outer layer from the nipple side of thedie exit under reduced pressure.

However, if the outer layer laminated onto the substrate layer has auniform thickness, the tube looks even and monotonous and lacks spice,thus giving no decorative effect. Furthermore, the tube cannot beidentified simply by touch.

Meanwhile, even in the case where the outer layer laminated onto thesubstrate layer has some irregularity in molding the laminated tube, itis necessary to produce the irregularity while maintaining certainuniformity if a high-class image is to be achieved in addition toaesthetic appearances.

Consequently, the technical problem of this invention is to laminate theouter layer onto the substrate layer that makes up the main body of thetube, wherein the outer layer has or consists of a projecting portion orportions while maintaining certain uniformity. The object of thisinvention is to provide the laminated tube and the molded tube productscomprising the laminated tube, which show the decorative effect derivedfrom the laminated outer layer and which enable the user to identify thetube by touch, too.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 1 to solve theabove-described technical problem exists in the configuration that thetube is laminated and that the outer layer laminated onto the substratelayer, which makes up the main body of the tube, has or consists of aprojecting portion disposed in the axial direction.

In the invention of claim 1, the outer layer having or consisting of alinear projecting portion in the axial direction is laminated onto thesubstrate layer that makes up the main body of the tube. The linearprojecting portion on the outer surface of the tube gives the tube thedecorative quality that makes the tube look attractive. It also becomespossible to distinguish the tube from other tubes simply by touching theprojecting portion on the tube surface with fingers.

Even if a relatively soft outer-layer is disposed on the substratelayer, the thin wall of the tube deforms easily because of thedifference in thickness between the projecting portion and the tubewall. Therefore, the main body of the tube can be easily pressed flatalong the projecting portion on the outer layer. The tube contents canbe easily squeezed out of the molded tube product made of this laminatedtube.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 2 includes theinvention of claim 1, and also comprises that the substrate layer isflexible and that the outer layer is harder than the substrate layer.

In the invention of claim 2, the substrate layer that makes up the mainbody of the tube has flexibility, and the outer layer having orconsisting of the projecting portion to be laminated on the substratelayer is harder than the substrate layer. Therefore, this projectingportion serves as the backbone of the main body of the tube, andmaintains the form of the tube stably.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 3 includes theconfiguration of the invention of claim 1 or 2, and also comprises thatthe projecting portion is disposed linearly in the axial direction.

In the invention of claim 3, there is provided the outer layer having orconsisting of a linear projecting portion, which is laminated onto themain body of the tube. The tube can be pressed flat along thisprojecting portion that acts as the backbone of the tube. Thus, theprojecting portion serves as the guide when the tube is pressed flat.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 4 includes theconfiguration of the invention of claim 1, 2, or 3, and also comprisesthat plural projecting portions are provided.

In the invention of claim 4, plural projecting portions are formed instripes on the main body of the tube. The stripes improve decorativenessof the tube. From the number of stripes determined for the tube, theuser can distinguish the tube from other tubes simply by touch.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 5 includes theconfiguration of the invention of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, and alsocomprises that the projecting portions are disposed axisymmetrically inthe cross-sectional view.

In the invention of claim 5, the projecting portions are disposedaxisymmetrically. The tube can be pressed flat along the axisymmetricalprojecting portions, thus making it convenient for the tube bottom to besealed when tubular containers or pouch containers are molded. Asanother advantage, the projecting portions serve as the guide to pressand flatten the tubular container or pouch container so that thecontents can be easily squeezed out of the tubular or pouch containermade of this laminated tube.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 6 exists in theconfiguration that the laminated tube of claim 4 or 5 is provided withthe projecting portions that have different widths.

In the invention of claim 6, the projecting portions having differentwidths make the tube look very attractive, and allow characters and thelike to be printed on the wide types of projecting portions.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 7 exists in theconfiguration that even-numbered projecting portions are disposed atequal intervals on the laminated tube of claim 4 or 5.

Because the projecting portions are disposed at equal intervals in theinvention of claim 7, a stripe pattern is formed over the entire tubesurface, and the decorativeness of the tube is improved.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 8 exists in theconfiguration that the projecting portions give a graded effect causedby the change in the thickness of the projecting portions disposed onthe laminated tube of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.

In the invention of claim 8, the laminated tube has the improveddecorativeness because of the graded effect caused by the change in thethickness of the projecting portions.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 9 exists in theconfiguration that an aluminum laminating material is used as the mainbody of the tube in the laminated tube of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or8.

In the invention of claim 9, the main body of the tube comprises analuminum laminating material, and the outer layer having or consistingof a projecting portion or portions are laminated onto this material.The projecting portion or portions serving as the backbone reinforce thealuminum laminated tube, and also improves the decorativeness.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 10 exists in theconfiguration that the substrate layer and the outer layer havedifferent colors in the laminated tube of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,or 9.

In the invention of claim 10, not only tube irregularity but alsoadditional colors improve the decorativeness because the outer layerhaving or consisting of a projecting portion or portions in a differentcolor is laminated onto the substrate layer.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 11 exists in theconfiguration that the projecting portion or portions are disposedspirally on the surface of the laminated tube of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, or 10.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 12 exists in theconfiguration that the projecting portion or portions have a wave formon the surface of the laminated tube of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,or 10.

In the invention of claim 11 or 12, the outer layer laminated on thesubstrate layer has or consists of a projecting portion or portions in aspiral or wave form, which looks attractive visually and improvesdecorativeness of the tube.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 13 exists in theconfiguration that each of the projecting portions has a different colorin the invention of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12.

In the invention of claim 13, the decorativeness of the tube is improvedbecause each projecting portion has a different color and because theprojecting portions in attractive colors form a stripe or waveformpattern. For instance, all the projecting portions may have a differentcolor, or two or three colors may be repeated alternately or for eachgroup of three projecting portions. Plural colors may also be used atrandom for the projecting portions.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 14 exists in theconfiguration that the laminated tube of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 is cut to a predetermined length, with one endbeing flattened and sealed, and the other end being provided with a headportion comprising shoulder and neck.

The means of carrying out the invention of claim 15 exists in theconfiguration that the laminated tube of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 is cut to a predetermined length and is molded intoa tube product having both ends flattened and sealed.

In the invention of claim 14 or 15, the laminated tube with addeddecorativeness can be used to mold an elaborately designed tubeproducts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(a) is a partially cut, side elevational view, and FIG. 1(b) is across-sectional view, of the laminated tube in the first embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of thelaminated tube shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the co-extrusionmolding die of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section showing an example of the cladding die ofthis invention.

FIG. 5(a) is a partially cut, side elevational view, and FIG. 5(b) is across-sectional view, of the laminated tube in the second embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the tubular container made by usingthe laminated tube shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7(a) is a partially cut, side elevational view, and FIG. 7(b) is across-sectional view, of the laminated tube in the third embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 8(a) is a partially cut, side elevational view, and FIG. 8(b) is across-sectional view, of the laminated tube in the fourth embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 9(a) is a side elevational view, and FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectionalview, of the tubular container using the laminated tube in the fifthembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pouch container molded from thelaminated tube.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the pouchcontainer molded from the laminated tube.

FIG. 12 is a vertical section of the laminated tube in the sixthembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a partially cut, side elevational view of the laminated tubein the seventh embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 14 is a partially cut, side elevational view of the laminated tubein the eighth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 15(a) is a side elevational view, and FIG. 15(b) is across-sectional view, of the laminated tube in the ninth embodiment ofthis invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention is further described with respect to preferredembodiments, now referring to the drawings, in which FIG. 1(a) is a sideelevational view, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view, of thelaminated tube 1 in the first embodiment of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the laminated tube has a laminatedstructure in which the outer layer 3 having or consisting of a linearprojecting portion 4 that extends in the axial direction is laminatedonto the cylindrical substrate layer 2 that makes up the main body ofthe tube.

The projecting portion 4 can be formed when the outer layer having orconsisting of a linear projecting portion 3 is laminated onto only apart of the substrate layer 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, theprojecting portion 4 can also be formed by changing the thickness of thelaminated outer layer 3 at one point of the cross-section.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing schematically a system for theco-extrusion molding of the laminated tube 1. This system has die 11,which is connected to the first extruder and the second extruder (bothof them now shown). The first extruder supplies the die 11 with a moltenresin from which the substrate layer 2 is molded. The second extrudersupplies the die 11 with another molten resin from which the outer layer3 is molded.

The die 11 is connected to the first extruder by way of a circular path.A substrate layer resin path 13 is in a tubular shape and is connectedto this circular path. An outer layer resin path 14 is disposed at onepoint on the periphery of the substrate layer resin path 13. This outerlayer resin path 14 is connected to the second extruder by way of aresin discharge port 12. A mandrel 15 is disposed ahead of the exit ofthe die 11.

A molten resin is extruded by the first extruder, takes the shape of atube in the circular path, and flows through the substrate layer resinpath 13. Another molten resin is extruded by the second extruder, comesout of the resin discharge port 12, and flows into the outer layer resinpath 14.

In the die 11, the molten resin coming from the outer layer resin path14 adheres onto the surface of the tubular molten resin that flowsthrough the substrate layer resin path 13. In this way, the outer layer3 is adhered onto the surface of the tubular substrate layer 2 at athickness that is uniform in the axial direction. Thus, a projectingportion 4 is formed on the substrate layer 2 by the outer layer 3, whichis adhered to the substrate layer 2.

Consequently, the laminated tube 1 having the projecting portion 4 onthe substrate layer 2 is extruded.

In FIG. 3, mandrel 15 stably retains the shape of the laminated tube 1comprising the combined substrate layer 2 and the outer layer 3 havingor consisting of a projecting portion 4 when the tube is pushed out ofthe die exit. The co-extrusion molding die also comprises a coolingsystem to cool down the laminated tube 1 that has been extruded from themolding die 11, a pulling system to pull the extruded laminated tube 1,and a cutting device to cut the laminated tube to a suitable lengthalthough these systems are not shown. The laminated tube 1 ismanufactured after it passes through the processes using these systems.

At that time, a synthetic resin is suitably selected so that thesubstrate layer 2 to be formed has flexibility. On the other hand,another synthetic resin is selected so that the outer layer 3 is harderthan the substrate layer 2.

The co-extrusion molding process such as described above makes itpossible to mold the laminated tube 1, in which the outer layer 3 havingor consisting of the projecting portion 4, axially uniform in thickness,is laminated onto the substrate layer 2.

The projecting portion 4 creates irregularity on the surface of thelaminated tube 1. This irregularity improves the decorativeness andmakes the tube 1 look attractive visually. If the substrate layer 2 andthe outer layer 3 have different colors, the projecting portion 4 on thesubstrate layer 2 can be clearly identified by its color, thus resultingin improved designing.

Since the projecting portion 4 can be identified simply by touch, it iseasy to distinguish the laminated tube 1 from other tubes.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section showing schematically a part of the moldingdie to mold the laminated tube by the cladding method. As shown in FIG.4, the molten resin to be used as the outer layer 3 is pushed by theextruder from the resin discharge port (not shown) and flows into theouter layer resin flow path 14 in the die 11.

The outer layer resin flows through the outer layer resin flow path 14and comes out of the die exit where the diameter becomes much largerthan the outer diameter of the tubular substrate layer 2. The circulardie exit has a space at one point so that the projecting portion 4 isformed. The outer layer 3 is suctioned under reduced pressure in thedirection shown by an arrow in FIG. 4. The already tubular main body 2is supported by the mandrel 15, and the outer layer 3 is put in tightcontact with the substrate layer 2. Thus, the substrate layer 2 is cladwith the outer layer 3 having or consisting of the projecting portion 4that is axially uniform in thickness.

For example, a flexible aluminum laminating material can be used as thealready tubular substrate layer 2. Then, the outer layer 3 may be madeof a synthetic resin material that is harder than the aluminumlaminating material from which the substrate layer 2 is made.

Thus, the cladding method can also be utilized to mold the laminatedtube 1, in which the outer layer 3 having or consisting of theprojecting portion 4, which extends axially, is laminated onto thesubstrate layer 2.

In both of the co-extrusion molding method and the cladding method, theaxially disposed projecting portion 4 has a uniform thickness. Unlikeany surface defect, such a projecting portion 4 gives improveddecorativeness to the laminated tube and is also capable of achieving ahigh-class image.

By changing the shape of the exit of the die 11, it is possible tochange the number, width, or shape of the projecting portion 4 on thelaminated tube 1.

FIGS. 5 are (a) a side elevational view, and (b) a cross-sectional view,of the laminated tube 1 in the second embodiment of this inventionwherein two projecting portions 4 are disposed axisymmetrically on thesubstrate layer 2.

The two projecting portions 4 disposed axisymmetrically on the substratelayer 2 enable the laminated tube 1 to be pressed flat easily. The outerlayer 3 having or consisting of a pair of the projecting portions 4 ismade of a harder material than the substrate layer 2, which makes up themain body of the tube, and these projecting portions 4 serve as thebackbone for the substrate layer 2 made of a flexible material. Thelaminated tube 1 is thus pressed flat and sealed to form a molded tubeproduct, such as a tubular container or a pouch container made of thislaminated tube 1.

FIG. 6 shows a tubular container 9, one of the tube products, obtainedby cutting the laminated tube 1 of FIG. 5 to a certain length,flattening and sealing one end of the tube, and fitting a head 8 to thetube by means of Thatcher method. This head 8 comprises shoulder 6 andneck 7. The tube portion of the tubular container 9 can be pressed flat,with the axisymmetrical projecting portions 4 serving as the guide.Therefore, the contents inside the tubular container 9 can be dischargedeasily.

FIG. 7 shows the laminated tube 1 in the third embodiment of thisinvention wherein the laminated tube 1 is provided with four projectingportions 4, which are disposed axisymmetrically. In this case, thelaminated tube 1 of this embodiment is easily pressed flat because thegroove portion 5 between the two projecting portions 4 on each side isfolded and thrust outward.

When the projecting portions 4 are formed by the outer layer 3 laminatedonto the substrate layer 2, a certain number of projecting portions 4can be designated for the specified contents to be filled in the tubularcontainer 9 or later-described pouch container molded from the laminatedtube 1. The user will be able to distinguish the contents inside thetube product, simply by touching the tubular or pouch container 9 or 10.Therefore, this feature is convenient especially for the blind. It isalso convenient for the user with ordinary sight in using plural tubularor pouch containers 9 or 10 for different purposes.

FIG. 8 shows the laminated tube 1 in the fourth embodiment of thisinvention wherein the outer layer 3 on the substrate layer 2 comprisesthe projecting portions 4 having different widths. Plural projectingportions 4 of different widths improve visual attractiveness of thetube, and wide projecting portions of the outer layer 3 can be used forprinting.

FIG. 9 shows a tubular container 9 using the laminated tube 1 in thefifth embodiment of this invention, wherein the outer layer 3 laminatedonto the substrate layer 2 consists of an even number of strip-likeprojecting portions 4 disposed in equal intervals. Under theconfiguration that an even number of projecting portions 4 are disposedin equal intervals on the substrate layer that makes up the main body ofthe tube, the laminated tube 1 has an up-and-down stripe pattern, whichimproves the decorativeness of the tube.

Since the projecting portions 4 are disposed in an even number and inequal intervals, naturally there is an even number of grooves 5 betweenthe projecting portions 4. In this configuration, the laminated tube 1can be easily pressed flat, with the projecting portions 4 serving asthe guide. This feature is convenient when the tubular container 9 orthe pouch container 10 (See FIG. 10) is molded. Because the tubularcontainer 9 or the pouch container 10 can be squeezed and pressed flat,using the projecting portions as the guide, the contents can be forcedout smoothly from the tubular or pouch container 9 or 10, thus improvingcontainer handling.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the laminated tube 1 can be used to moldthe pouch container 10. The laminated tube 1 is cut to a certain length,pressed flat and sealed at one end. Then, after the container has beenfilled with the contents, the other end is similarly pressed flat andsealed. There can be obtained a pouch container 10 with both ends beingflattened in the same direction, as shown in FIG. 10, or there can beobtained another pouch container 11 with one end is in a directionorthogonal to the other end, as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a vertical section of the laminated tube 1 in the sixthembodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the laminated tube 1comprises the substrate layer 2 that makes up the main body of the tube.In this embodiment, the outer layer 3 laminated onto the substrate layer2 has or consists of the projecting portions 4, the thickness of whichis changing in the axial direction. In the case of the co-extrusionmolding method, the thickness of the outer layer 3 can be changed bychanging periodically the extruding pressure for the outer layer 3. Inthe case of the cladding method, it can be changed by changingperiodically the extent of suction under reduced pressure.

The outer layer 3 having or consisting of the projecting portions 4gives a graded effect caused by the change in the thickness. Thisgradation improves the decorativeness of the laminated tube 1.

FIG. 13 shows the laminated tube 1 in the seventh embodiment of thisinvention, wherein the projecting portions 4 has a waveform pattern. Inaddition to the linear projecting portions, the waveform projectingportions 4 can be obtained by moving the die 11 from side to side at acertain stroke when the laminated tube 1 is molded. The waveform patternimproves the decorativeness and visual attractiveness of the laminatedtube 1.

FIG. 14 shows the laminated tube 1 in the eighth embodiment of thisinvention wherein spiral projecting portions 4 are formed. Not only thelinear and waveform projecting portions, but also the spiral projectingportions 4 can be obtained by rotating the die 11 on its axis in acertain rotative direction when the laminated tube 1 is molded. Thespiral pattern improves the decorativeness and visual attractiveness ofthe laminated tube 1.

FIG. 15 shows the laminated tube 1 in the ninth embodiment of thisinvention wherein each projecting portion 4 has a different color. Asshown in FIG. 15, the projecting portions 4 of different colors give thelaminated tube 1 colorful stripe or waveform patterns, which improvedecorativeness and designing of the laminated tube 1. Although FIG. 15shows the projecting portions 4 in two colors that are alternatelydisposed, the pattern need not be limited to this embodiment. Theprojecting portions 4 in plural colors can be used, or each projectingportion 4 may have a different color. Plural colors can also be used atrandom for each projecting portion 4.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention comprising the above-described configuration has thefollowing effects:

In the invention of claim 1, the outer layer having or consisting of alinear projecting portion in the axial direction is laminated onto thesubstrate layer that makes up the main body of the tube. The linearprojecting portion on the outer surface of the tube gives the tube thedecorative quality that makes the tube look attractive. It also becomespossible to distinguish the tube from other tubes simply by touch.

In the invention of claim 2, the outer layer to form a projectingportion is harder than the substrate layer, and is laminated onto theflexible substrate layer that makes up the main body of the tube.Therefore, this projecting portion serves as the support to the mainbody of the tube, and maintains the form of the tube stably.

In the invention of claim 3, there is provided the outer layer thatforms a linear projecting portion on the main body of the tube. The tubecan be pressed flat easily along this projecting portion, which servesas the guide.

In the invention of claim 4, plural projecting portions are formed onthe main body of the tube. These projecting portions improvedecorativeness of the tube. When the projecting portions are formed bythe outer layer laminated onto the substrate layer, a certain number ofprojecting portions can be designated for the specified contents withwhich the tubular container or the pouch container molded from thelaminated tube is filled. From the number of the projecting portions,the user will be able to distinguish the contents, e.g., inside thetubular container, simply by touching the container. This feature isconvenient especially for the blind. It is also convenient for the userwith ordinary sight in using plural tubular containers for differentpurposes.

Since the projecting portions are disposed axisymmetrically in theinvention of claim 5, the tube can be pressed flat along theaxisymmetrical projecting portions. The tubular containers or the pouchcontainers are molded easily by cutting the laminated tube to a certainlength and sealing one end of the tube. Also when the contents aresqueezed out of the tubular or pouch container, the projecting portionsserve as the guide to press flat the tubular or pouch container. Thecontents, such as cream having certain viscosity, can be easily forcedout of the tubular container or the pouch container, and the containerhandling is improved.

In the invention of claim 6, the projecting portions with differentwidths are formed on the substrate layer that makes up the main body ofthe tube. These projecting portions improve decorativeness, and make thetube look attractive, and allow characters to be printed on the wideareas.

In the invention of claim 7, the projecting portions are disposed atequal intervals on the substrate layer that makes up the main body ofthe tube. Since a stripe pattern is formed over the entire tube surface,the tube shows improved decorativeness.

In the invention of claim 8, the outer layer is formed on the substratelayer, which makes up the main body of the tube, so as to give a gradedeffect caused by the change in the thickness of the projecting portions.The laminated tube has the improved decorativeness because of thegradation created by the projecting portions.

In the invention of claim 9, the main body of the tube comprises analuminum laminating material, and the outer layer having or consistingof a projecting portion or portions are laminated onto this material.The projecting portion or portions serve as the backbone and reinforcethe aluminum laminated tube. Since the projecting portions are formed onthe aluminum laminating material having a metallic silver color, thelaminated tube has improved decorativeness, and shows a high-classimage.

In the invention of claim 10, the outer layer having or consisting ofthe projecting portions is laminated onto the substrate layer that makesup the main body of the tube. Not only surface irregularity but alsoadditional colors improve the decorativeness because the outer layer hasor consists of a projecting portion or portions in a different color orcolors that make it easy to identify the tube clearly.

In the invention of claim 11, there can be formed waveform projectingportions on the substrate layer that makes up the main body of the tube.In the invention of claim 12, there can be formed spiral projectingportions. In addition to linear projecting portions, the projectingportions in various patterns formed on the substrate layer serve toimprove decorativeness and visual attractiveness of the laminate tube.

In the invention of claim 13, the decorativeness of the tube is improvedbecause each projecting portion has a different color and because theprojecting portions of attractive colors form a stripe or waveformpattern.

In the invention of claim 14 or 15, the laminated tube with addeddecorativeness can be used to mold an elaborately designed tubularcontainer or pouch container.

1. A laminated tube having an outer layer laminated on a substrate layerthat makes up the main body of said tube, wherein said outer layer hasor consists of a projecting portion disposed in the axial direction. 2.The laminated tube according to claim 1 wherein said substrate layer isflexible while said outer layer is harder than said substrate layer. 3.The laminated tube according to claim wherein said projecting portion islinear.
 4. The laminated tube according to claim 1 wherein pluralprojecting portions are disposed.
 5. The laminated tube according toclaim 1 wherein a pair of projecting portions is disposedaxisymmetrically in the cross-sectional view.
 6. The laminated tubeaccording to claim 4 wherein said projecting portions have differentwidths.
 7. The laminated tube according to claim 4 wherein an evennumber of projecting portions is disposed at equal intervals.
 8. Thelaminated tube according to claim 1, or 7 wherein said outer layerhaving or consisting of the projecting portions gives a graded effectcaused by the change in the thickness of the laminated outer layer. 9.The laminated tube according to claim 1, or 8 wherein the substratelayer is made of an aluminum laminating material.
 10. The laminated tubeaccording to claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein the main body of said tube and theouter layer have different colors.
 11. The laminated tube according toclaim 1, 9, or 10 wherein said projecting portion or portions arespirally disposed.
 12. The laminated tube according to claim 1, 9, 10,or 11 wherein said projecting portion or portions have a wave form. 13.The laminated tube according to claim 1, 9, 10, 11, or 12 wherein eachprojecting portion has a different color.
 14. A molded tube productcomprising the laminated tube according to claim 1 wherein said tube iscut to a given length, flattened and sealed at one end, and is providedwith a head portion of a shoulder and a neck at the other end.
 15. Amolded tube product comprising the laminated tube according to claim 1wherein said tube is cut to a given length, flattened and sealed at bothends.